STEVE BRUCE expects Sunderland’s threadbare squad to be bolstered by the return of up to half a dozen first-teamers this weekend.

The Black Cats have been down to the bare bones for the last month, with a lengthy injury list leaving boss Bruce with a side which virtually selected itself.

However, the injury situation is finally easing, with goalkeeper Craig Gordon and midfielders Lee Cattermole, Kieran Richardson and Andy Reid all fit and in contention for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Portsmouth.

Defender John Mensah also has a chance of shaking off a hamstring problem in time to be involved.

Centre-back Michael Turner is also set to return after completing a four-match ban which ruled him out of the games over Christmas, New Year and the start of 2010.

Gordon has been out of action since November with a broken arm and could make his comeback for the reserves against Manchester United at Eppleton CW (7pm) tonight, which would give him his first taste of match action for 10 weeks ahead of the trip to Fratton Park.

Cattermole has recovered from a hamstring problem which has sidelined him for a month.

Richardson is ready to return from the calf injury which has kept him out since before Christmas, while Reid has been out with a hamstring problem since Boxing Day.

The only two players unlikely to be in contention are defenders Anton Ferdinand (ankle) and Nyron Nosworthy (knee).

Bruce said: “Ferdinand and Nosworthy will not be ready – they are the biggest injury concerns we have.

“I would expect Reidy to be in contention, Craig, Lee and Kieran – I am confident they will all be available.

“We need them back – we need them all back. We do not have the biggest of squads and we have had more than our fair share of serious injuries.

“Craig has been out for 10 weeks, and that is a long time to be without your goalkeeper.

“Ferdinand has been out for a long time, Cattermole has played just two games in months – you miss your big players when they are out.”

Ghana international Mensah limped out of Sunderland’s Boxing Day draw with Everton with a hamstring problem which cost him the chance of skippering his country in this month’s African Cup of Nations.

He is recovering well, but is still touch and go for this weekend.

Bruce added: “We had to send John over to Ghana to be checked by their doctors, but they sent him back to us.

“He has a chance of being fit this weekend, but we will see.”

Turner’s return will free up skipper Lorik Cana to return to his usual midfield berth, where he could be partnered again by Cattermole.

Reid is likely to return in place of Daryl Murphy on the left side of midfield, while Richardson could be used in central midfield, wide on the left, as an attacking option or even at left-back.